Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

JOB 14:1KJV
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Job 14:1 (KJV)

What does Job 14:1 mean?

Job 14:1 says that every human being, born from a woman, has only a short life and faces much hardship. The verse highlights how brief and difficult human existence is.

In this verse, Job is speaking to his friends while suffering and reflecting on the nature of human life. Job’s words come from a place of deep pain and honesty, as he describes how all people, not just himself, experience trouble and have limited time on earth. This sets the tone for the rest of Job’s thoughts about the struggles and limits of human life.

The Hebrew behind Job 14:1

  • The word for "man" is אָדָם (adam), which often refers to humanity in general, not just a single person. This shows Job is making a broad statement about all people.
  • "Few" comes from קָצֵר (qatser), meaning short or limited, emphasizing how brief life is, not just in years but in opportunity.
  • "Full" is שָׂבֵעַ (sabea), which means filled up or saturated, stressing that trouble is not just present but abundant in human life.
  • "Trouble" is רֹגֶז (rogez), which carries the sense of agitation, turmoil, or unrest, suggesting life is not just hard but often unsettled and anxious.

Why Job 14:1 matters

  • Job 14:1 clears up the idea that suffering is unique to a few; instead, it states that hardship is a universal human experience.
  • The verse emphasizes the brevity of life, which is a key theme in Job’s speeches and shapes how he processes his suffering.
  • This statement connects to Job’s larger argument about the limits of human understanding and control, setting up his plea for compassion and perspective from his friends.

Where else these words appear

“few” Hebrew H7116 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
  • Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
  • Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

“trouble” Hebrew H7267 · used in 7 verses

  • Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
  • Job 37:2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
  • Isaiah 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

“full” Hebrew H7649 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 25:8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Job 42:17 So Job died, being old and full of days.